Uncomfortable ride- dealer can't fix it

[Red4x4]

Hi and thanks for letting me post! My '98 4x4 Explorer seems to be riding low. Whenever I get two or more adults in it, it 'bottoms out' and makes almost a grinding noise. I took it to the Ford Dealer (Power Ford, Tustin, CA) who replaced the shocks and sway bars. It got better, but is still a problem. They can't seem to notice it - all of my passengers do! I don't think that they are able to help me anymore . Anyone have this problem? It just developed in the last year. The truck has only 67,000 miles on it and I maintain it well.
Also- the Pinion seals are leaking and need to be replaced. Is this a common problem? They want $700 to repair. Any recommendations for a repair facility in the Orange County (CA) area?


Thanks!

 

[Blee1099]

Without any passengers in the rear, does the rear end of the truck sag? If so, your rear leaf springs are worn down. You have a couple of options.. You can get them re-arched, get Add A Leaf installed, or install aftermarket lift shackles. In regards to the pinion leaking.. Is it the front pinion seal or the rear pinion seal? The front ones are known for leaks.

 

[Eneurb]

Shocks and sway bars have no effect on ride height... springs and torsion bars do. A pinion seal for $700??? Seems very excessive.

 

[Positive Vibes]

Without any passengers in the rear, does the rear end of the truck sag? If so, your rear leaf springs are worn down. You have a couple of options.. You can get them re-arched, get Add A Leaf installed, or install aftermarket lift shackles. In regards to the pinion leaking.. Is it the front pinion seal or the rear pinion seal? The front ones are known for leaks.

Ditto on what Blee said.

 

[Lloyd10977]

Your problem is definitely with the springs. This is something that will not be resolved by replacing shocks or sway bars and is a most common ailment in 1st and 2nd gen X's. (The "Explorer sag" also shows a slight lean to the left or driver's side because of the constant weight of the driver and fuel tank on that side.) Replace the springs and don't waste time and money re-arching. But it need not be a terribly expensive fix. See this sticky thread on one way to do it: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=101035

I replaced MINE with the #2, 3, and 4 leaves from spring packs from a '78 Bronco (3" wide) that cost me $5 on eBay. I drove 70 miles to pick them up, saving on shipping, and with new U-bolts, center pin bolts, and spring clamps, total cost came to about $35 and about 4 hours labor with normal tools and a good floor jack. And yes, 3" wide leaf springs WILL fit between the U-bolts on an Explorer with 2 1/2" wide springs. This gives you about 2 to 2 1/2 inches of lift in the rear and increased weight carrying capacity with only a marginal increase in ride stiffness.

 

[IZwack]

Shocks and sway bars have no effect on ride height...

Yeah true but a shock will help a little bit in preventing "bottoming out" while driving at normal speeds because they do slow down the leaf spring's compression/expansion rate .. they absorb some of the energy when they are being compressed/expanded (thats why shocks heat up and why some coil overs have external reservoirs)

Whenever I get two or more adults in it, it 'bottoms out' and makes almost a grinding noise....

There should be rubber bumper stops under the frame rail right above the rear axle - this is what the axle hits when it bottoms out. If the axle is frequently bottoming out, the axle should be cleaner on the area where it makes contact with the rubber stoppers. If you don't have these bumper stoppers, then the axle could potentially be hitting the frame rail.

I can’t think of why there would be a grinding noise - perhaps the wheel is rubbing against something in the wheel well? But if you are running stock tires diameters, there should be no reason why you’re tires would rub anything in the wheel well.

The easiest way to prevent these bottoms out, as others have suggested, would be an Add-A-Leaf. I think the longer shackle route would be too much lift for you though.

 

[Red4x4]

Thanks for the help!!

Thanks for the great posts. The dealer was completely clueless on this topic. Unfortuately I am not as mechanically inclined as you all. Any recommendation on the type of shop to have this work done in?? I am in Orange County CALIF if anyone has a good shop.
I am able to reverse the bottom leaf like what was described on the Eaton Detroit Spring link you gave me. Has anyone had success with this simple solution? I can do a few things on this truck myself. Thanks again!

 

[IZwack]

;Any recommendation on the type of shop to have this work done in

You can do the AAL by yourself. It takes just a few hours and no special tool really (though you will need a breaker bar for the axle’s U-bolts). The AAL is is $27 from Summit Racing (search for part number: EXP-13120).

 

[birdman]

hey guys, are there any softer add-a-leafs besides the pro comp ones on summit racing? I hear the short procomps are real stiff, the longer, other brands are the way to go but I can't exactly find where/what brand to buy. Thanks.